Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
Aberdeenshire Council, Homestart and Children 1st have been allocated £250,000 to provide support out of core hours when families and children are most in need. £150,000 has been awarded to Moray Council and Action for Children to allow them to provide a virtual family centre covering rural issues and intensive outreach using sports and recreation to engage fathers.
The allocations announced by the Scottish Government will help Scottish charities work with councils to support families who need extra help including access to out of hours support and parenting advice.
Welcoming the announcement, Stewart Stevenson commented:
“The early years of a child’s development are absolutely crucial. It is therefore essential that those families who need assistance are able to access it.
“I am pleased to note that both Aberdeenshire Council and Moray Council, along with the charities that they are working with, have been allocated grants from the Early Years Change Fund.
“I believe that the work that this funding will support will help the Scottish Government to further its aim to make Scotland the best place to grow up in.”
“I am pleased to note that both Aberdeenshire Council and Moray Council, along with the charities that they are working with, have been allocated grants from the Early Years Change Fund.
“I believe that the work that this funding will support will help the Scottish Government to further its aim to make Scotland the best place to grow up in.”
Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell MSP, said:
“We want Scottish families to have the help they need. We will provide more free nursery care – saving families £700 a year per child while the UK Government cuts £700 from family benefits. We will also make nursery care more flexible. By next year, councils must ask what parents want and offer a choice. Together with the extra hours, this could mean two days a week instead of a few hours a morning or afternoon –– helping parents into a job or training.
“But we know that some families need more direct support – perhaps a source of advice on parenting or a neutral place to allow parents and children to spend time together. This funding will help charities across Scotland provide exactly that type of targeted help.
“This funding shows how decisions taken in Scotland are giving Scottish families the help they need. It will also help harness the expertise of those working in charities to help the councils deliver for families and maximise Scotland’s future economic prosperity.”
“But we know that some families need more direct support – perhaps a source of advice on parenting or a neutral place to allow parents and children to spend time together. This funding will help charities across Scotland provide exactly that type of targeted help.
“This funding shows how decisions taken in Scotland are giving Scottish families the help they need. It will also help harness the expertise of those working in charities to help the councils deliver for families and maximise Scotland’s future economic prosperity.”
